A Battle of Jericho in Buena Vista

Hello Friends and Family!

I hope that the past few weeks have been incredible for each of you! I apologize that I write so infrequently, and sporadically. Some weeks are so busy and we have little to no time to email, and other weeks are just a little more quiet which allow us enough time to write about a quick miracle. Thanks for always understanding and continuing to send your love constantly!  I did want to write about one small thing from this past week. 

I was on an exchange with an Elder down in a little town about 2 hours away from Macon.  The town is called Buena Vista, and has only about 2,000 people that live there. Because it is in the middle of no-where, and away from the church building by about 45 minutes, missionaries have struggled there in the past and decided to rarely visit the town. However, God didn't even give up on Sodom and Gomorrah the first time, so surely this town we shouldn't give up on!  The Spirit hit me as we crossed into the town limits, so strong.  It said, "Elder Robb, there is someone in this town that needs to be a member of My Church."  I reflected on this strong spiritual impression with the Elder I was with, and we continued to find a place in town to proselyte. We prayed specifically (funny what happens when we ask Father where to go) and felt strongly about a particular street in town. There was a lady outside, and, because we talk with everyone and their dog, we approached the sweet woman. We introduced ourselves as Representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ, and asked her name (with our hands extended to shake her hand). There was a pause and she stared at us. She said, "You the Church that comes here every few years and tries to Preach?" We responded quickly, "Oh yes, isn't it wonderful?" Silence (of the best type). We asked again for her name, and she told us. Then she said, "You know that I used to meet with the missionaries, right?  Guys just like you, years ago.  They came by every once in awhile and taught me about Christ." Absolutely Incredible! Isn't it amazing what happens when we let the Father of our Spirits lead us to His Children, instead of relying on our own strength to find them? 

ANYWAYS, after we finished a wonderful conversation with her, the Spirit was like, "Look back." We stopped, turned 180 degrees behind us, and right then saw a young man walk over a hill in the distance, at the end of the road. Without words to each other (and again, because we talk with everyone) we fast walked towards this young man. He started walking into a house when we were about 100 feet away, and the Spirit said, "Elder Robb, YELL AT HIM!" So, being obedient to the Lord, I yelled, "HEY! STOP!" The man immediately stopped (he hadn't seen us walking towards him) and got somewhat of a scared face on, which might be understandable considering the circumstance.  He kept looking at us and said, "What do you want? Who are you?" However, the Spirit told us not to say anything. We kept walking towards him. Interestingly, he walked towards us now, instead of into the house. We extended our hands, and he shook them.  Then we said, "We are literal representatives of the Lord Almighty. We have been called of Him to declare His Word about His People, that they might have everlasting life." (Reference to 3 Nephi 5:13).  The Spirit immediately came into the conversation, and the Spirit prompted us to ask him a VERY specific question, "Have you ever wondered why God would put you here in Buena Vista? Or ever wondered why God would give you this life, and make you figure out your purpose?" Almost without a break in my sentence, he said, "YES.  My family reads the Bible every morning, but I've always wondered that. Do you know why?" The Spirit testified to this young man that the Book of Mormon was true, and Joseph Smith was the Prophet of this the Last Dispensation of the Fullness of Times (Ephesians 1:10). With excitement and thrill in his voice, he said, "I must read that book. I need to read it each day."

As we drove out of that street, we were passing a house on my left and the Spirit came so strong and said, "Elder, you MUST knock that door!" We rarely knock doors because we pray people out with the Lord (He is the best companion), but the Spirit told us too, so we pulled over the car. We went to the door, and knocked. Nothing. We knocked again, and nothing. We knocked again and nothing.  The Elder I was with started to walk away, but the Spirit said so loudly, "KNOCK AGAIN ELDER ROBB." So I knocked again.  Nothing. I continued to knock 13 times. Finally the Spirit didn't say to do it again. I stood on the porch waiting, and thought to myself about what had happened. Why did no one come to the door? Why would the Spirit prompt me to knock 13 times? Finally, feeling slightly defeated, we left the porch. As we walked away from the small home, the Spirit said again (like it had said earlier), "Look back." I stopped, turned around, and stared at the house, but nothing had changed. Lets say by this point the Elder I was with was really confused. 

We stood in silence for a bit, and then the Spirit brought a small thought into my mind of a story from the Holy Bible. It is found Josua 6:1-27, and is often referred to as the story of the Battle of Jericho.  In the story, the Pre-Saints walked around the city several times before the walls of the city fell. I thought to myself, "This house is like Jericho. We should walk around it." With the Spirits approval (but not quite the Elder next to me) I began walking around the back of the house, almost half expecting the walls of the home to crash down. However, it didn't. As I walked around the back, there was a woman sitting in the back of a truck. She was slightly startled when we came around the corner of the house, but quickly was relaxed by the Spirit. We introduced ourselves as servants of the "Almighty God of Heaven and Earth" (yes, how we introduce ourselves is critical as missionaries). It's very important to be bold in missionary work.  We shared our message, but she didn't quite react at all. The Spirit kept prompting me, and said, "Elder Robb, THE HOUSE." I finally understood, and asked the woman if someone was home. There was hesitation, and she kind of avoided the question. But God knew she would do this, so He prepared a way to accomplish what He needed accomplished. As I was trying to figure out how to best go about this situation, right then a little boy ran out of the house. I quickly knew what the Lord needed me to do. The Spirit said this boy's dad was home. We asked, "Is your dad home?" The woman in the truck was a little rattled we had gone around her to figure out the truth, but sometimes you have go to do what you've got to do. A few moments later a man emerged from the backyard and stared at us, somewhat upset (it was then I realized that we were the ones standing in his backyard, so I could see why he might be a little confused). 

We explained our divine calling and authority to this man as simply as we could, and then testified of the Book of Mormon. The Spirit guided the conversation, which was a very sacred experience, and the man asked for several copies of the Book of Mormon in the end and set an appointment for us to come back.

As I was thinking about this day in Buena Vista, and the many other miracles which happened throughout the rest of the day, I was amazed (as always) to see how the hand of the Lord directs His work.  I testify that this is the literal work of God in the Last Days. I testify of the divine calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and most importantly of the Savior Jesus Christ. God knows it, I know it, and I cannot deny it.

From the Words of the Lord in Doctrine and Covenants, "Behold, the great day of the Lord is at hand; and who can abide the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appeareth?  For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fuller’s soap; and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness; and let us present in his holy temple, when it is finished, a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of all acceptation."

Until Next Week-

Elder Robb

These pictures are from 2 conferences, one day apart, where
Elder Christensen visited the Macon Mission.  These 2 pictures
represent the entire mission.  Carson is on the front row to the
far left in both pictures.  Truly, God's Royal Army!!